1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to public safety; clarifying conditions under
1.3 	which peace officers and firefighters suffering
1.4 	disabling injuries continue to receive payments for
1.5 	health insurance; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004,
1.6 	section 299A.465, subdivision 1.
1.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 299A.465,
1.9 	subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.10 		Subdivision 1.Officer or firefighter disabled in line of
1.11 	duty.  (a) This subdivision applies when a peace officer or
1.12 	firefighter suffers a disabling injury that:
1.13 	(1) results in the officer's or firefighter's retirement or
1.14 	separation from service at any time after suffering the
1.15 	disabling injury, even if the peace officer or firefighter works
1.16 	at another position for the employer after suffering the injury
1.17 	and before separating from service;
1.18 	(2) occurs while the officer or firefighter is acting in
1.19 	the course and scope of duties as a peace officer or
1.20 	firefighter; and
1.21 	(3) the officer or firefighter has been approved to receive
1.22 	the officer's or firefighter's duty-related disability pension.
1.23 	(b) The officer's or firefighter's employer shall continue
1.24 	to provide health coverage for:
1.25 	(1) the officer or firefighter; and
1.26 	(2) the officer's or firefighter's dependents if the
2.1 	officer or firefighter was receiving dependent coverage at the
2.2 	time of the injury under the employer's group health plan.
2.3 	(c) The employer is responsible for the continued payment
2.4 	of the employer's contribution for coverage of the officer or
2.5 	firefighter and, if applicable, the officer's or firefighter's
2.6 	dependents.  Coverage must continue for the officer or
2.7 	firefighter and, if applicable, the officer's or firefighter's
2.8 	dependents until the officer or firefighter reaches the age of
2.9 	65.  However, coverage for dependents does not have to be
2.10 	continued after the person is no longer a dependent.

2.11 	Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.12 	Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment.
2.13 	After that date, payments must be made on behalf of a person
2.14 	eligible under section 1, regardless of whether the disabling
2.15 	injury occurred before or after the effective date of section 1.